Our Communities

New home for local artists’ work

Staying local and supporting local artists, writers, and musicians is a winning business model, says Paul McNally of McNally Robinson Booksellers.

This time around, McNally Robinson is teaming up with Gurevich Fine Art to create a new gallery in the bookseller’s Grant Park Shopping Centre location.

STEPH CROSIER

Paul McNally, owner of McNally Robinson Bookseller, has teamed up with Gurevich Fine Art gallery to offer local artists a place to display their art in the Prairie Ink restaurant.

"Promoting local artists is really hand and glove with what we do and why we are here," said McNally.

McNally thought it was a great idea after seeing the void that was left after a local gallery shut down.

"When <SITE> Gallery closed there were close to 20 artists who didn’t really have a place to go," said McNally.

Working with local writers led McNally Robinson to become involved with local artists.

"We’re really connected to the art community," said McNally. "It came naturally to us, and because there are limited places to show their work, we started some small work (exhibitions)." McNally said that at around the same time Howard Gurevich, owner of Gurevich Fine Art, opened his gallery.

"Gurevich is very specialized and (they) have signed all the right people," said McNally. "Like people we’ve shown and people we’d like to show."

McNally said working with Gurevich works perfectly for them because they don’t have the inventory to store the art or the expertise to curate the shows like Gurevich does.

"It’s a natural fit," said Gurevich. "McNally Robinson’s vision of community space is exactly ours. Our goal is to introduce artists to an ever-widening audience. McNally provides that opportunity."

The gallery will be along the walls of the Prairie Ink Restaurant and Bakery located inside of McNally Robinson.

McNally’s dream for the gallery is for it to show Winnipeggers what local artists have to offer.

"I really hope it gets more Winnipeggers to see more Winnipeg art in a light of knowing it’s a well curated show and that it hasn’t just been thrown up on a wall," he said.

There will be monthly exhibits and art talks. To see a schedule of shows at McNally Robinson Booksellers, visit gfamcnally.ca.

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments.
All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.